Jeff Bouton
Finding Birds in Florida

Florida is a birder's paradise with an amazing diversity of species accessible year round. Geographically situated between tropical and temperate climatic zones, it is the only spot in the United States to find Caribbean habitats mixing with those more typical of the rest of the southeastern US. Florida also sits on a major migratory flyway and borders the Gulf of Mexico. This makes the state an important staging area where birds fuel up before making the arduous water crossing to Mexico, the Caribbean, or South America in the fall and where they rest and recover from their long flight back each spring. It is also a crucial wintering area for a wide array of avian delights. Over 500 different species of birds have been reported in Florida.
One of Florida's most interesting birds is its only endemic bird species, the personable Florida scrub-jay. A threatened species, the Florida scrub-jay is indigenous to xeric scrub oak habitats, which are also home to other fascinating species such as gopher tortoises and indigo snakes. Remnants of ancient Pleistocene Era shorelines, these ancient sand dunes are typically higher and better drained than many other areas in Florida. The fire-dependant scrub community requires regular burns to keep undergrowth controlled. Visitors can find healthy scrub habitat and resident scrub-jays at Archbold Biological Research Station near Avon Park, Oscar Scherer State Park near Sarasota, Lyonia Preserve near Deltona, and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore near Titusville.
Some of Florida's specialty species are tropical in nature and barely reach the United States. These include the white-crowned pigeon, which prefers the tropical hardwood hammocks that occur near the Everglades and through the Florida Keys. Visitors to Everglades National Park can creep through hammock trails while keeping an eye out for small flocks of these dark gray, snow-capped birds quietly feeding on fruit in the tree canopies. If you're a bit less adventurous, watch power lines as you drive through Key Largo where the birds are more numerous and easily seen!
Black-whiskered vireos and mangrove cuckoos are two other Caribbean species that prefer mangrove swamps and adjacent habitats found along coastal areas in the southern third of the peninsula and the Florida Keys. For unknown reasons, the two mangrove species have shown dramatic declines in recent years along the Gulf Coast, but are still reliable near Flamingo in Everglades National Park and through the Keys. Smooth-billed ani is another tropical species that was once found (locally) across the entire southern portion of the state. Best bets for locating these large black cuckoos with overgrown beaks and odd calls are in scrubby areas along the perimeter of the Fort Lauderdale Airport and along canals near Belle Glade south of Lake Okeechobee.
Some of Florida's rare bird species are common in other parts of the United States, but have distinct populations here that are either threatened or endangered. While they may not qualify as true specialty "species," visitors still might want to search for some of these "specialty sub-species" on an exploration of Florida's wondrous habitats. One example is the threatened snowy plover. You can find this tiny ghostly white shorebird with its dull gray legs on many white sand beaches throughout the state. They are especially prevalent along the Gulf Coast. Fort Desoto Park near St. Petersburg, Sanibel Island, and Tigertail Beach in Naples are good places for snowy plovers. The little birds simply lay their eggs in shallow depressions in the sand. So watch where you walk on the beach from February through August.
Another example is the irresistibly comical burrowing owl, which is a favorite of birders everywhere. Typically this bird is thought of as an inhabitant of prairie dog colonies throughout the Great Plains, but here in Florida a distinct threatened sub-species stakes its claim amongst the golf courses and on vacant lots in residential neighborhoods where they dig burrows in sandy soil. Undoubtedly the best spot to see these birds is the area between Punta Gorda and Cape Coral in southern Charlotte and Lee Counties (on the Gulf Coast north of Fort Myers). Cape Coral alone supports the bulk of the state's burrowing owl population with some estimates as high as 1000 breeding pairs. A good way to find the owls is by driving roads in Cape Coral between Chiquita and Santa Barbara south of Pine Island Road. Look for the taped off barricades around their burrows.
No adventurer will want to miss Florida's pine flatwoods, as they are spectacularly wild and beautiful. A tromp through pine flatwoods is a must for any birder wanting to see some of the rare or localized breeders in the state. Note the white iris of the Florida sub-species of the eastern towhee as you hear them call "Chewink!" at you from all sides as you search for other flatwoods specialties. The sqeeky wheezy greeting of the tiny brown-headed nuthatch actually sounds like a living "rubber ducky." Secretive Bachman's sparrows have been documented crawling into burrows in the ground to escape detection, and red-cockaded woodpeckers are rare enough to be listed as a federally endangered species! Explore for yourself at any one of these fantastic areas: Apalachicola National Forest (SW of Tallahassee), Tall Timbers (NE of Tallahassee), Babcock Webb WMA (SE of Punta Gorda on the Gulf), and Hal Scott Preserve and Tosohatchee State Reserve (SE of Orlando).
While you travel the state, keep a sharp eye to the sky and note what is soaring above! Florida also has a number of special predatory birds. Bald Eagles are a common sight in many areas of this watery state and if you're real lucky you might spot the localized short-tailed hawk. In winter, the prized raptors can be seen fairly predictably rising in small numbers out of island-like hammocks that sit in the "river of grass" that forms the Everglades basin. The challenge is separating them from the more common red-shouldered hawks. From February through August, you may see what is undeniably one of the most striking birds that glides over the peninsula. The swallow-tailed kite is a vision of grace. Its long pointed wings and sharp forked tail of black stand out in stark contrast with its otherwise pure white plumage. In July these spectacular birds will build in numbers and stage in preparation for their migration to South America -- flocks sometimes reach as many as 1000 birds! Impressive numbers of swallow-tailed kites can sometimes be seen in late summer near Corkscrew Swamp and along the shores of Lake Okeechobee.

BurrowingOwl Florida Scrub Jay GrayKingbird Purple Gallinule

Federally endangered snail kites are found only in Florida. Stunning black raptors, snail kites have a distinct white band at the top of their tails and bright orange feet. The aptly named birds feed exclusively on apple snails and are found in just a few localized colonies throughout the state. One of the best places to look for them is Overstreet Landing southeast of Kissimmee, where you might also see one of the world's rarest crane species, the whooping crane, or the odd looking crested caracara (Mexico's national bird). Once called the Everglade's kite, snail kites are still seen near the Shark Valley entrance to Everglades National Park and from the Pa-hay-okee Overlook within the Park. The park entrance and overlook are also good locations from to look for amazing purple gallinules or gaudy painted buntings, a thrill for even non- birders as their bright colors look so surreal.
Of course, no article highlighting Florida's unique avifauna would be complete without mentioning the many introduced exotic species that have set up shop throughout parts of Florida. Visitors might be surprised to notice common myna birds sitting in the bushes at a shopping center in Homestead or note mixed flocks of monk and black-headed parakeets feeding in date palms in the Sarasota Airport parking lot. But they are here and in big numbers, and are likely in Florida to stay. The absolute best spot to view exotic birds in Florida is the area between Greater Miami and Fort Lauderdale where more than 30 species of free flying parrots, parakeets, and other introduced exotic species have been recorded. Two exotic species most sought out by birders are the red-whiskered bulbul and spot-breasted oriole, which inhabit residential areas near Kendall. One of the most reliable places to see bulbuls and orioles is at the Kendall Baptist Hospital and surrounding areas. Sometimes parakeets and parrot species will roost in the evenings in large Royal Palms there. Just before sunset is one of the best times to see these colorful birds in areas that have exotic landscape plantings. All one has to do to find them is listen for their raucous calls.
No matter where in the state you may be, it is difficult to not be impressed by the wondrous array of Florida's fabulous avifauna! You'd be hard pressed to top the experience of sitting at the Flamingo Visitor's Center in Everglades National Park during early morning hours watching the awesome spectacle of flock after flock of white egrets and pink spoonbills streaming across sparkling gold water. Seventy miles west of Key West, there is a string of islands known as the Dry Tortugas, a place that is steeped in rich history. It is difficult to stand among the crumbling ruins of Fort Jefferson and not be distracted by the constant "wide awake" cries from a massive sooty tern colony located just yards away, or by clouds of magnificent frigatebirds spiraling over crystal blue waters teeming with life. Truly, in Florida sights like these happen everywhere! To see them, you simply have to stop and take note.

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Jeff BoutonFinding Birds in Florida

Jeff Bouton
Finding Birds in Florida